WASHINGTON — Some bagged spinach, including varieties sold at Publix, have been recalled over listeria concerns.
Fresh Express issued a voluntary recall on Dec. 15 for its 8 oz. spinach bag and the 9 oz. bag of Publix Spinach. The recall follows results from a routine test by the Florida Department of Agriculture that found listeria in one of the selected samples.
The manufacturer immediately notified retailers after the listeria monocytogenes were found, according to the recall. No illnesses have been reported to date.
The Fresh Express and Publix brand spinach bags have the product code G332 and were distributed to retailers in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia. Expiration dates for the Publix bagged spinach is Dec. 14, while the Fresh Express products have an expiration date of Dec. 15.
Listeria monocytogenes can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in children, the elderly and others with weakened immune systems. Listeria infection can also cause miscarriages and stillbirths among pregnant women.
Short-term symptoms may include high fever, severe headaches, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhea. Symptoms usually start within two weeks after eating contaminated food but could come as early as the same day or as late as 10 weeks after, according to the CDC.
The company said refunds are available where consumers purchased the recalled spinach products.
Consumers are urged to check their refrigerators for the recalled items and asked to throw them away. To get a refund or for more information on the recall, contact the Fresh Express Consumer Response Center at 800-242-5472 between 8 a.m. and 7 p.m. Eastern Time.
